Holi high! Lucknow hits ₹18 crore liquor sales, breaking two-year record

Lucknow residents took "Bura na mano, Holi hai!" a little too seriously this year! According to the Excise Department, liquor sales during Holi 2025 hit a record-breaking ₹18 crore, ₹50 lakh more than last year. Two days before the dry day, liquor shops were swarmed with eager buyers, causing many outlets to run out of stock. From beer to whiskey and country liquor, shops in hotspots like Hazratganj, Gomti Nagar, and Aliganj saw massive crowds, with many running out of stock.

While liquor shops stayed shut on Holi, March 12 and 13 were buzzing as people stocked up for the festivities. However, the celebrations came with a hiccup, police reported a 20% spike in drunk driving cases and several brawls. Over 100 drunk driving cases were registered, and more than 50 people were arrested for illegal liquor sales.

With liquor sales increasing year after year, it seems Lucknow’s Holi celebrations are getting wilder and boozier. Cheers to breaking records—but maybe not the law!